Free Guardian Bride by Lauri Robinson Page A

needs something in the middle of
    the night. But, thank you for the offer." She reached out a
    hand and squeezed Stephanie's. "And thank you for being so
    kind to us. To me and September and August."
    "You're family, girl. All of you. Of course we'd be kind to
    you. Take care of you." Stephanie patted Summer's cheek.
    "One's gotta take care of family. It's all that really matters on
    this earth."
    A surprising lump formed in Summer's throat, and she
    swallowed. It refused to be dislodged. She bowed her head,
    blinking against the tears, and moved toward the sofa that
    doubled as her bed. Why did the Quinters feel more like
    family than July had? He'd been her father for as long as she
    could remember. The sour taste of guilt filled her mouth. She
    should be in mourning, but grief over his death refused to
    grace her mind or heart.
    Near the sofa was the large wicker basket Stephanie had
    given her to store her clothing. She lifted the lid to retrieve a
    night gown. A smile tugged on her lips at the memory of
    Snake asking if his mother used her stitching machine on
    him. He'd been right to wonder. His mother loved her sewing
    machine. Summer carried the gown to the water closet on the
    far side of the room, silently adding the woman was amazing
    when it came to the craft. Since arriving she and the children
    had received more clothing than they'd ever owned. Every
    day, Stephanie created one of them another outfit.
    Shut in the room, Summer took her time removing her
    clothing and donning the gown. At first she'd refused the
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    Guardian Bride
    by Lauri Robinson
    clothing Stephanie offered, it had been September who'd
    came up with a proposition. She'd said they'd all, she,
    Summer, and August, work for the clothing, doing chores and
    odd jobs. The children were upholding their end of the
    bargain without complaint. The security of living on the farm
    could also be part of their compliance, though to be honest,
    neither September nor August ever balked about helping out.
    Summer gathered her clothes and blew out the lamp
    hanging on the wall before leaving the room. She paused for
    the briefest moment, the conveniences of the Quinter home—
    namely the indoor plumbing—made her feel like an imposter.
    She shook the sensation aside and closed the door.
    Moving through the house lit only by the moonbeams
    shining through the windows, she concluded the reason she
    wasn't mourning July was because she'd thought of the day
    he would no longer be around for years. Not that she ever
    wished him dead, but the hope he'd just leave one day had
    been with her continuously.
    After placing her folded clothes in the basket, she closed
    the lid and settled onto the sheet and pillow Stephanie had
    already placed on the makeshift bed. July had been more
    work than help for as long as she could remember.
    She rested her head on the pillow and stared at the ceiling.
    Perhaps he was also the reason she never thought of
    marrying. It wasn't as if she'd had any offers, but then again,
    she'd have had to encourage a man to court her before they'd
    ask to marry her. Finding work that would provide enough
    money to keep food on the table didn't leave time for such
    things.
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    Guardian Bride
    by Lauri Robinson
    Her head turned, and she gazed at the door to Snake's
    bedroom. If she hadn't thought much about marrying, why
    did she have this urge to sneak in his room and lie down
    beside him? A warm, exciting tingle raced over her body, and
    she twisted her head, staring up at the ceiling. He was so
    handsome, and the thought that they were married—no
    matter how unconventionally—seemed dreamlike. She hadn't
    wished for a husband, but she had dreamed of having a
    secure home and plenty of food and clothing for the children.
    Her feelings had never played into her dreams, other than
    happiness at seeing September and August fit and fine.
    Her marriage to Snake certainly entangled her feelings—to
    the point she was utterly confused. She closed